Primer Question

[buzzb]

Years ago I had a trigger job done on a 686, optimized for single action. This made it unreliable in DA. Today I tried some Federal Match primers in cases reloaded roughly 8 times. I fired them with no powder or bullet in DA for function test only. They worked, but after each shot it took a smart rap on cylinder to open since each primer backed out enough to lock action.Is this caused by firing without powder/bullet, old brass or Match primer? Figured I'd ask before loading full up rounds.

 

[W.E.G.]

Is this caused by firing without powder/bullet

Yes.

If you want to fire primers without powder (rubber-bullet ammo for example), you have to drill out the flash-holes in the cases in order to avoid primer back-out.

 

[Sully]

W.E.G hit it dead center...right on, right on.

 

[Titegroups]

Federals are considered one the most sensitive primers, so if you've got a light hammer strike they are what you want to use. Normally the charge forces the case back over the primer as it discharges. The primers will push themselves out of the pocket due to the restriction of the flash hole and if there is no powder in the case nothing forces them back in.

 

[buzzb]

Thanks for the good info. I had read that federals were sensitive, so decided to try them. I'll go load up some rounds.

 

[cjw3]

Yes.

If you want to fire primers without powder (rubber-bullet ammo for example), you have to drill out the flash-holes in the cases in order to avoid primer back-out.

Exactly right. Twenty+ years back when I used to prepare wax bullet loads for fast draw practice I kept a batch of brass with drilled out flash holes carefully segregated exclusively for that purpose.

(These, the rubber bullets, or the Speer plastic cases/bullets are well worth it if that angle of the game is to be pursued.)